DECEMBER 05, 2012 : WEDNESDAY OF THE FIRST WEEK OF ADVENT

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent
Lectionary: 177

Reading 1 Is 25:6-10a

On this mountain the LORD of hosts
will provide for all peoples
A feast of rich food and choice wines,
juicy, rich food and pure, choice wines.
On this mountain he will destroy
the veil that veils all peoples,
The web that is woven over all nations;
he will destroy death forever.
The Lord GOD will wipe away
the tears from all faces;
The reproach of his people he will remove
from the whole earth; for the LORD has spoken.

On that day it will be said:
"Behold our God, to whom we looked to save us!
This is the LORD for whom we looked;
let us rejoice and be glad that he has saved us!"
For the hand of the LORD will rest on this mountain.

Responsorial Psalm Ps 23:1-3a, 3b-4, 5, 6

R. (6cd) I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
The LORD is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose;
Beside restful waters he leads me;
he refreshes my soul.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
He guides me in right paths
for his name's sake.
Even though I walk in the dark valley
I fear no evil; for you are at my side
With your rod and your staff
that give me courage.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
You spread the table before me
in the sight of my foes;
You anoint my head with oil;
my cup overflows.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.
Only goodness and kindness follow me
all the days of my life;
And I shall dwell in the house of the LORD
for years to come.
R. I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life.

Gospel Mt 15:29-37

At that time:
Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee,
went up on the mountain, and sat down there.
Great crowds came to him,
having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute,
and many others.
They placed them at his feet, and he cured them.
The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking,
the deformed made whole,
the lame walking,
and the blind able to see,
and they glorified the God of Israel.

Jesus summoned his disciples and said,
"My heart is moved with pity for the crowd,
for they have been with me now for three days
and have nothing to eat.
I do not want to send them away hungry,
for fear they may collapse on the way."
The disciples said to him,
"Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place
to satisfy such a crowd?"
Jesus said to them, "How many loaves do you have?"
"Seven," they replied, "and a few fish."
He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground.
Then he took the seven loaves and the fish,
gave thanks, broke the loaves,
and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds.
They all ate and were satisfied.
They picked up the fragments left over--seven baskets full.

www.usccb.org

Meditation:"This is the LORD; we have waited for him"

What can satisfy the deepest hunger and longing of the human heart? Isaiah prophesied that God would provide a heavenly banquet for all peoples and would destroy death once and for all (Isaiah 2:6-10).  Jesus came to fulfill that promise. Jesus' miracles are both a sign of God’s kingdom and a demonstration of God’s power. They also show the magnitude of God’s mercy.
When the disciples were confronted by Jesus with the task of feeding four thousand people many miles away from any source of food, they exclaimed: Where in this remote place can anyone get enough bread to feed them? The Israelites were confronted with the same dilemma when they fled Egypt and found themselves in a barren wilderness. Like the miraculous provision of manna in the wilderness, Jesus, himself provides bread in abundance for the hungry crowd who came out into the desert to seek him. The gospel records that all were satisfied and they took up what was leftover.
In the multiplication of the loaves and fishes we see a sign and a symbol of what God always does. God knows our needs and he cares. When God gives, he gives in abundance. The gospel account records that the leftovers from the miraculous meal was more than seven times the amount they began with. Seven is a symbol of completion and wholeness. When God gives, he gives until we are satisfied. When God works for his people he gives abundantly – more than we could deserve and more than we need. He nourishes us with his life-giving word and with the bread of heaven. In the kingdom of heaven God will feast us at his banquet table. Are you satisfied with God's provision for you? And do you long with expectant hope for the coming of his kingdom in all its fulness?
Lord Jesus, you alone can satisfy the longing and hunger in our hearts. May I thirst for your kingdom and find joy in your presence. Give me the true bread of heaven and nourish me with your life-giving word."

www.dailyscripture.net

Jesus is the Bread of Life

Wednesday of the First Week of Advent

Father John Doyle, LC Matthew 15:29-37 At that time: Jesus walked by the Sea of Galilee, went up on the mountain, and sat down there. Great crowds came to him, having with them the lame, the blind, the deformed, the mute, and many others. They placed them at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were amazed when they saw the mute speaking, the deformed made whole, the lame walking, and the blind able to see, and they glorified the God of Israel. Jesus summoned his disciples and said, “My heart is moved with pity for the crowd, for they have been with me now for three days and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them away hungry, for fear they may collapse on the way.” The disciples said to him, “Where could we ever get enough bread in this deserted place to satisfy such a crowd?” Jesus said to them, “How many loaves do you have?” “Seven,” they replied, “and a few fish.” He ordered the crowd to sit down on the ground. Then he took the seven loaves and the fish, gave thanks, broke the loaves, and gave them to the disciples, who in turn gave them to the crowds. They all ate and were satisfied. They picked up the fragments left over–seven baskets full. Introductory Prayer: Lord Jesus, I now turn confidently to you, who are my friend and savior. You are always watching over me and protecting me, whether I’m mindful of you or not. Thank you. I love you, and I’m grateful for these moments to refresh myself in your presence. Petition: My Jesus, give me an unshakeable confidence in your unconditional love. 1. Jesus on the Mountain: Jesus is the focal point of history and of all human aspirations. Even when he goes to out-of-the-way places, as is the case in this Gospel passage, he is sought after. He strides by the Sea of Galilee and scales up the mountain, and all humanity seeks him out. He doesn’t interrogate them about their past or condemn them for their sins. He simply gives to each what he or she needs: to the blind, sight; to the mute, the gift of speech; to the deaf, hearing. Imagine for a moment this poor mass of humanity around the Master. Place yourself with them. Your turn comes, and suddenly it is as if the crowd disappears and you are alone with Jesus. He looks into your eyes with loving concern and asks what you are seeking––even though he already knows it. My Jesus, it is you that I seek. Heal me, and do not let any sin separate me from you today. 2. “They Have Nothing to Eat.” Love is not always very practical. Jesus’ heart is moved with compassion for all those who have sought him out. He knows the sacrifices that they have made in searching him out, and he is not going to leave them disappointed. The disciples saw only the practical problem, but in his charity towards his neighbor, Jesus all but ignores it. What can I learn from Christ’s attitude? Will I ever be let down or not be satisfied if I seek Christ with a sincere heart? 3. The Bread of Life: The miracle that Jesus works in multiplying the loaves is a prelude to an even greater miracle he plans to bring about. Jesus knows the longings of our hearts, and he knows that material food has its limits, even when it is abundant. St Augustine states, “You made us for yourself, Oh Lord, and our hearts are restless until they rest in you.” How can I not trust that Jesus will always provide for what I truly need, after his lowering himself to appear as bread so that we can feed on him and be satisfied? Conversation with Christ: My Jesus, I have a very wayward heart. I know that you are the only one who can fulfill the longing of my soul; yet so often I put my confidence in the fleeting things of this world instead. Reassure my heart that you will always provide for me if I put all my trust in you. Keep me going up the mountain towards your heavenly Kingdom, where you will be all in all. Resolution: I will pause sometime during the day––perhaps before lunch––and make a spiritual communion by inviting Christ into my heart. I will thank him for the gift of himself in the blessed Eucharist and renew my confidence in him.

www.regnumchristi.com

WEDNESDAY, DECEMBER 5
ADVENT WEEKDAY

MATTHEW 15:29-37
(ISAIAH 25:6-10A; PSALM 23)
KEY VERSE: "MY HEART IS MOVED WITH PITY FOR THE CROWD" (V 32).
READING: JUST LIKE MOSES, JESUS WENT UP ON A MOUNTAIN TO TEACH THE PEOPLE. JESUS WAS A COMPASSIONATE TEACHER WHO WAS CONCERNED FOR THE NEEDS OF HIS PEOPLE, BOTH SPIRITUAL AND PHYSICAL. HE TOOK PITY ON THE CROWD THAT HAD BEEN FOLLOWING HIM FOR THREE DAYS AND WHO WERE WITHOUT FOOD. THE DISCIPLES WERE AT A LOSS AS TO HOW THEY COULD FEED SO MANY HUNGRY PEOPLE. JESUS TOOK SEVEN LOAVES OF BREAD AND SOME FISH, GAVE THANKS, BROKE THE BREAD, AND DISTRIBUTED IT TO THE DISCIPLES WHO IN TURN SATISFIED THE HUNGRY CROWD. THE SEVEN REMAINING BASKETS SIGNIFIED THE FULLNESS OF GOD'S CARE FOR ALL PEOPLE, GENTILE AND JEW. THESE SAME ACTS: TAKING, THANKING, BREAKING AND OFFERING ARE WHAT PRIESTS DO IN THE EUCHARISTIC SACRIFICE OF THE MASS. THE "BREAKING OF THE BREAD" WAS AN EARLY NAME FOR THE EUCHARIST (GREEK, EUCHARISTIA, "THE GIVING OF THANKS," ACTS.2:42). THIS �GENTILE FEEDING� CORRESPONDS TO THE �JEWISH FEEDING� OF  MATTHEW 14:13�21. 
REFLECTING: IN WHAT WAYS DO I FEED GOD'S HUNGRY PEOPLE?
PRAYING: LORD JESUS, I GIVE YOU THANKS FOR SATISFYING MY HUNGER IN YOUR EUCHARISTIC PRESENCE.

www.daily-word-of-life.com

I shall live in the house of the Lord all the days of my life

They all ate and were satisfied.

So often, when we read the feeding of the five thousand, we focus on the end of the story—the miracle of the loaves and the fishes and the fact that there were twelve baskets of scraps collected. Can we look at it in a different way?

The people had been with Jesus for three days. He had been teaching and healing them all this time. He had been feeding their souls and nurturing them, and then, the final act, he feeds their bodies too. But feeding their souls and healing takes precedence. The vast amount of left-over food could be seen also as a metaphor for the way in which their souls are now overflowing with their new understanding of the goodness of God.

www.churchresources.info

December 5
St. Sabas
(b. 439)

Born in Cappadocia (modern-day Turkey), Sabas is one of the most highly regarded patriarchs among the monks of Palestine and is considered one of the founders of Eastern monasticism.

After an unhappy childhood in which he was abused and ran away several times, Sabas finally sought refuge in a monastery. While family members tried to persuade him to return home, the young boy felt drawn to monastic life. Although the youngest monk in the house, he excelled in virtue.

At age 18 he traveled to Jerusalem, seeking to learn more about living in solitude. Soon he asked to be accepted as a disciple of a well-known local solitary, though initially he was regarded as too young to live completely as a hermit. Initially, Sabas lived in a monastery, where he worked during the day and spent much of the night in prayer. At the age of 30 he was given permission to spend five days each week in a nearby remote cave, engaging in prayer and manual labor in the form of weaving baskets. Following the death of his mentor, St. Euthymius, Sabas moved farther into the desert near Jericho. There he lived for several years in a cave near the brook Cedron. A rope was his means of access. Wild herbs among the rocks were his food. Occasionally men brought him other food and items, while he had to go a distance for his water.

Some of these men came to him desiring to join him in his solitude. At first he refused. But not long after relenting, his followers swelled to more than 150, all of them living in individual huts grouped around a church, called a laura.

The bishop persuaded a reluctant Sabas, then in his early 50s, to prepare for the priesthood so that he could better serve his monastic community in leadership. While functioning as abbot among a large community of monks, he felt ever called to live the life of a hermit. Throughout each year —consistently in Lent—he left his monks for long periods of time, often to their distress. A group of 60 men left the monastery, settling at a nearby ruined facility. When Sabas learned of the difficulties they were facing, he generously gave them supplies and assisted in the repair of their church.

Over the years Sabas traveled throughout Palestine, preaching the true faith and successfully bringing back many to the Church. At the age of 91, in response to a plea from the Patriarch of Jerusalem, Sabas undertook a journey to Constantinople in conjunction with the Samaritan revolt and its violent repression. He fell ill and, soon after his return, died at the monastery at Mar Saba. Today the monastery is still inhabited by monks of the Eastern Orthodox Church, and St. Sabas is regarded as one of the most noteworthy figures of early monasticism.

Comment:

Few of us share Sabas’s yearning for a cave in the desert, but most of us sometimes resent the demands others place on our time. Sabas understands that. When at last he gained the solitude for which he yearned, a community immediately began to gather around him and he was forced into a leadership role. He stands as a model of patient generosity for anyone whose time and energy are required by others—that is, for all of us.

www.americancatholic.org

BL. BARTHOLOMEW FANTI, PRIEST (M)

Liturgy:  Wednesday, December 5, 2012

A native of Mantua, Italy, he was a Carmelite in the Mantuan Congregation and already ordained priest by 1452. For 35 years in the Carmelite church of his city, he was the spiritual director and rector of the Confraternity of the Blessed Virgin Mary, for whom he wrote a rule and a set of statutes.

Humble and gentle, he gave an example to everyone of a life of prayer, of generosity and of faithful service of the Lord. He was outstanding for his love of the Eucharist which was the centre of his apostolic life and for his devotion to Mary. He died in 1495.

www.ocam.org

LECTIO: MATTHEW 15,29-37

Lectio: 

 Wednesday, December 5, 2012  

1st Week of Advent

1) Opening prayer
God of all people,
you know how people hunger and thirst
for truth, love and acceptance.
If we accept you and believe in you
we see our deepest trust and aspirations
being fulfilled by you
as we work for the coming of your kingdom.
Help us to let the cup that you pour for us
overflow on all your people,
that all may praise you
now and for ever.

2) Gospel Reading - Matthew 15, 29-37
Jesus went on from there and reached the shores of the Lake of Galilee, and he went up onto the mountain. He took his seat, and large crowds came to him bringing the lame, the crippled, the blind, the dumb and many others; these they put down at his feet, and he cured them. The crowds were astonished to see the dumb speaking, the cripples whole again, the lame walking and the blind with their sight, and they praised the God of Israel. But Jesus called his disciples to him and said, 'I feel sorry for all these people; they have been with me for three days now and have nothing to eat. I do not want to send them off hungry, or they might collapse on the way.' The disciples said to him, 'Where in a deserted place could we get sufficient bread for such a large crowd to have enough to eat?' Jesus said to them, 'How many loaves have you?' They said, 'Seven, and a few small fish.' Then he instructed the crowd to sit down on the ground, and he took the seven loaves and the fish, and after giving thanks he broke them and began handing them to the disciples, who gave them to the crowds. They all ate as much as they wanted, and they collected what was left of the scraps, seven baskets full.

3) Reflection
Today’s Gospel is like the rising sun. It is always the same sun, every day, which rejoices life and renders plants fertile. The greatest danger is routine. Routine kills the Gospel and extinguishes the sun of life.
• The elements which form the picture of the Gospel are always the same: Jesus, the mountain, the sea, the crowds, the sick, the needy, the problems of life. In spite of the fact of knowing them well, like the sun of every day, these same elements always bring a new message.
• Like Moses, Jesus goes up to the mountain and the people gather around him. They bring their problems with them: the sick, the lame, the blind, the mute, the deaf, so many problems… Not only the big ones but also the small ones. They are the beginning of the new People of God who gather together around the new Moses. Jesus cures all of them.
• Jesus calls the Disciples. He has compassion of the people who have nothing to eat . According to the Disciples, the solution has to come from outside: “Where to find bread to feed so many people?” According to Jesus the solution has to come from the people: “How many loaves have you?” “Seven and a few small fish”. With these few loaves of bread and small fish Jesus satisfies the hunger of all, and there are even some left over. If today people would share what they have, there would be no hunger in the world. Many things would be left over! Truly, another world is possible!
• The account of the multiplication of the loaves recalls the Eucharist and reveals its value in saying: “Jesus, took the bread in his hands, gave thanks, broke it and gave it to his Disciples”.

4) Personal questions
• Jesus feels compassion. Is there any compassion in me, in the face of the problems of humanity? Do I do something about it?
• The Disciples expect that the solution comes from outside. Jesus asks for the solution from within? And I?.

5) Concluding Prayer
The Lord is my shepherd; I shall not want.
In verdant pastures he gives me repose. (Ps 23)

 

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